Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) Nominee David Oyelowo Joins "The President Is Missing" in Lead Role for Showtime(R)

DAVID OYELOWO JOINS 'THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING' IN LEAD ROLE FOR SHOWTIME

Network Gives Pilot Order For Drama Series, With Production Scheduled For 2020

 

   Photo: Kevin Scanlon

LOS ANGELES – October 8, 2019 – SHOWTIME has announced that Emmy and Golden Globe nominee David Oyelowo (Selma) will play the title role in the drama series THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING. The network has ordered a pilot, which is currently in pre-production and scheduled to shoot in 2020. Academy Award^® winner Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects), Anthony Peckham (Invictus), Heather McQuarrie and Oyelowo will executive produce the series. Peckham is writing the adaptation. The announcement was made today by Gary Levine and Jana Winograde, Presidents of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc.

In THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING, a powerless and politically aimless Vice President (Oyelowo) unexpectedly becomes President halfway into his administration’s first term, despite his every wish to the contrary. He walks right into a secret, world-threatening crisis, both inside and outside the White House. Attacked by both friends and enemies alike, with scandal and conspiracy swirling around him, he is confronted with a terrible choice: keep his head down, toe the party line and survive, or act on his stubborn, late-developing conscience and take a stand. The series is based on the bestselling novel by President Bill Clinton and James Patterson, which was the No. 1 novel of 2018 and has sold over 2.3 million copies in North America alone.

“David brings such enormous depth, sensitivity and power to every role he plays,” said Levine. “Having him as our lead ensures that our series will have the exhilarating suspense of a political thriller along with the juicy complexity of a character drama.”  

Oyelowo received Golden Globe and Film Independent Spirit Award nominations for his portrayal of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma, and a year later also earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for Nightingale. On the big screen, Oyelowo’s roles include A Wrinkle in Time, A United Kingdom, Queen of Katwe, A Most Violent Year, Interstellar, The Butler, Jack Reacher, Lincoln, Middle of Nowhere, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Paperboy and Don’t Let Go. On television, Oyelowo has appeared in Les Misérables, Complicit, Small Island, Blood and Oil and Spooks/MI5, among others. In 2001, Oyelowo took on a different kind of chief executive performance when he became the first black actor to play an English monarch for the Royal Shakespeare Company, in the role of Henry VI.    

THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING is executive produced by Christopher McQuarrie and Heather McQuarrie and co-executive produced by Jillian Share for Invisible Ink Productions. Anthony Peckham, Bill Clinton, James Patterson, Bill Robinson, Leopoldo Gout and David Oyelowo will also executive produce.

SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS, and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Amazon, Apple^®, Google, LG Smart TVs, Oculus Go, Roku^®, Samsung Smart TVs and Xbox One. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Amazon’s Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, AT&T TV Now, FuboTV, Hulu, The Roku Channel, Sling TV, Sony PlayStation™ Vue, and YouTube TV or directly at www.showtime.com. 

Oscar(R) Winner Christopher McQuarrie Joins "The President Is Missing" as Executive Producer with Anthony Peckham to Write Adaptation of New Showtime(R) Drama

Oscar(R) Winner Christopher McQuarrie Joins "The President Is Missing" as Executive Producer with Anthony Peckham to Write Adaptation of New Showtime(R) Drama
The project is inspired by the bestselling novel by President Bill Clinton and James Patterson.

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[via press release from Showtime] OSCAR(R) WINNER CHRISTOPHER MCQUARRIE JOINS "THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING" AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER WITH ANTHONY PECKHAM TO WRITE ADAPTATION OF NEW SHOWTIME(R) DRAMA

Project In Development Is Based On The Bestselling Novel By President Bill Clinton And James Patterson

LOS ANGELES - February 7, 2019 - SHOWTIME has announced that Academy Award(R) winner Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects) and Anthony Peckham (Invictus) have joined the drama series THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING, inspired by the bestselling novel by President Bill Clinton and James Patterson, currently in development. McQuarrie will executive produce with Heather McQuarrie and the book's authors. Peckham will also executive produce and write the adaptation. The announcement was made today by Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc.

In THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING, a powerless and politically aimless Vice President unexpectedly becomes President halfway into his administration's first term, despite his every wish to the contrary. He walks right into a secret, world-threatening crisis, both inside and outside the White House. Attacked by both friends and enemies alike, with scandal and conspiracy swirling around him, he is confronted with a terrible choice: keep his head down, toe the party line and survive, or act on his stubborn, late-developing conscience and take a stand.

"Christopher McQuarrie is a master of complex and compelling filmmaking. We feel so lucky to have ensnared him along with the supremely talented Tony Peckham to adapt THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING," said Levine. "They are both extremely enthusiastic about bringing this uniquely authentic political thriller to life on SHOWTIME."

THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING is executive produced by Christopher McQuarrie and Heather McQuarrie and co-executive produced by Jillian Share for Invisible Ink Productions. Anthony Peckham, Bill Clinton, James Patterson, Bill Robinson and Leopoldo Gout will also executive produce.

Christopher McQuarrie is a writer, producer and director, in addition to working behind the scenes as a frequent script and production doctor. He won an Oscar, BAFTA(R) and Film Independent Spirit award for his screenplay for The Usual Suspects before it was named as one of the 101 greatest screenplays of all time by the WGA. His other writing credits include Valkyrie and Edge of Tomorrow. In addition to writing and directing Jack Reacher, McQuarrie directed Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation and Mission: Impossible - Fallout, the latter of which is the highest grossing franchise installment to date. He is currently set to begin directing the latest two Mission installments later this year.

Peckham was honored with the WGA's Paul Selvin Award, recognizing written work which embodies the spirit of constitutional rights and civil liberties, for Invictus. His other screenplay credits include Sherlock Holmes and Don't Say a Word.

The 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton has written bestselling nonfiction books including My Life, Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy, Between Hope and History, Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World and Putting People First: How We Can All Change America. Published in June 2018, THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING is his first novel and marked the first time an American President has ever co-authored a thriller.
James Patterson is the world's best-selling author, who has created many enduring fictional characters and series, including Alex Cross. In addition to The President Is Missing, his notable literary collaborations include the Max Einstein series, produced in partnership with the Albert Einstein Estate. The National Book Foundation recently presented Patterson with the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community, and he is also the recipient of an Edgar Award and six Emmy(R) Awards. The second season of INSTINCT, the television series based on Patterson's bestselling novel, Murder Games, will premiere on CBS later this year.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) and FLIX(R), and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND(R), and the network's authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME(R). Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME(R). SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS, and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Amazon, Apple(R), Google, LG Smart TVs, Oculus Go, Roku(R), Samsung Smart TVs and Xbox One. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Amazon's Prime Video Channels, DirecTV Now, FuboTV, Hulu, Sling TV, Sony PlayStation(TM) Vue, and YouTube TV. Viewers can also watch on computers at Showtime.com. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks(TM), a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel(TM) and Smithsonian Channel Plus(TM). SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com. 

President Bill Clinton and James Patterson Upcoming Novel "The President Is Missing" to Be Adapted Into Series by Showtime(R)

President Bill Clinton and James Patterson Upcoming Novel "The President Is Missing" to Be Adapted Into Series by Showtime(R)
In the book, President Clinton and Patterson tell the startling story of a sitting U.S. president's disappearance, with the level of detail that only someone who has held the office can know - generating a powerful, one-of-a-kind thriller.

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[via press release from Showtime] PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND JAMES PATTERSON UPCOMING NOVEL "THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING" TO BE ADAPTED INTO SERIES BY SHOWTIME(R)

LOS ANGELES - September 22, 2017 - Today, SHOWTIME announced it has acquired the rights to adapt into a series THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING, based on the highly anticipated novel by President Bill Clinton and bestselling author James Patterson set to be published in 2018. In the book, President Clinton and Patterson tell the startling story of a sitting U.S. president's disappearance, with the level of detail that only someone who has held the office can know - generating a powerful, one-of-a-kind thriller. Though fictional, the story brings to life the pressures and realities of the most important position in the world. The announcement was made today by David Nevins, President and CEO, Showtime Networks Inc.

"I'm really enjoying writing this book and working with Jim," said President Bill Clinton. "And I can't wait to see SHOWTIME bring the characters to life."

"Bringing THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING to SHOWTIME is a coup of the highest order," Nevins said. "The pairing of President Clinton with fiction's most gripping storyteller promises a kinetic experience, one that the book world has salivated over for months and that now will dovetail perfectly into a politically relevant, character-based action series for our network."
"The White House is such an exciting world to explore and is made even more so with the unique insights of a former President," said Patterson. "Rich storytelling opportunities for this series abound."

In June of 2018, President Clinton and Patterson will publish THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING. The book promises to be the biggest and most spellbinding novel of 2018. President Clinton and Patterson are a formidable writing duo, and their collaboration marks the first time an American President has ever co-authored a thriller. The result is a gripping tale of power and betrayal, with a unique perspective on the pressures and stakes faced by a sitting president.

The 42nd President of the United States, Clinton has written bestselling nonfiction books including My Life; Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy, Between Hope and History; Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World; and Putting People First: How We Can All Change America. THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING is his first novel.

Over more than four decades, Patterson has established the single-author record for most No. 1 New York Times bestsellers, selling more than 380 million books worldwide, including the Alex Cross, When the Wind Blows, Women's Murder Club, Michael Bennett and NYPD Red series. Among his works adapted for the screen are Zoo, Women's Murder Club, Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls. In addition to the thriller novels for which he is best known, Patterson also writes children's, middle-grade and young-adult fiction, becoming the first author to have new No. 1 titles simultaneously on the New York Times adult and children's bestseller lists.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) and FLIX(R), and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND(R), and the network's authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME(R). Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME(R). SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple(R), Roku(R), Amazon, Google, Xbox One and Samsung. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Now, Sony PlayStation(TM) Vue and Amazon Channels. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks(TM), a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel(TM), and offers Smithsonian Earth(TM) through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.